PES Adult Strabismus Center

Strabismus Explained: What You Need to Know About Crossed Eyes

Discover what strabismus (crossed eyes) is, its causes, symptoms, and treatments in this easy-to-read guide for kids and families.

Introduction

Ever noticed someone whose eyes don’t seem to look in the same direction? That’s called strabismus, or crossed eyes. It might sound a little scary, but don’t worry—there’s a lot to learn about it, and most of the time, it’s treatable! Whether you know someone with strabismus or just want to understand it better, this guide will break it all down for you.

What Is Strabismus?

Strabismus is when both eyes don’t work together properly. While one eye looks straight ahead, the other may turn inward, outward, upward, or downward. This happens because the muscles controlling the eyes aren’t perfectly coordinated. It’s more common than you think—around 4% of kids have it! Strabismus can show up at birth, during childhood,
or even later in life.

What Causes Strabismus?

There are many reasons why someone might have strabismus, such as:

• Family history: If a parent had it, a child might, too.
• Eye muscle problems: Sometimes, the muscles controlling the eyes don’t work as a team.
• Other health issues: Conditions like cerebral palsy or Down syndrome can increase the risk.
• Uncorrected vision problems: Farsightedness can sometimes lead to crossed eyes.

How Can You Tell If Someone Has Strabismus?

Signs of strabismus can be pretty noticeable. Here are a few clues:

1. One eye looks in a different direction than the other.
2. Frequent squinting or tilting the head to see clearly.
3. Complaints about double vision or blurry images.
4. Difficulty focusing on close objects or faraway ones.

If any of these sound familiar, an eye doctor should take a look.

Can Strabismus Be Treated?

The good news? Yes, it can! Treatments vary depending on the type and severity of strabismus:

• Glasses: Correcting vision problems often helps align the eyes.
• Patches: Covering the stronger eye forces the weaker one to work harder.
• Eye exercises: Think of it as a workout for your eye muscles.
• Surgery: In some cases, doctors may adjust the eye muscles to fix the alignment.

Early treatment is key! The sooner it’s caught, the easier it is to improve.

Myths About Strabismus

• “It’s just cosmetic.” Nope! Strabismus can cause vision problems like double vision or poor depth perception.
• “Kids will outgrow it.” Not always. Many need treatment to prevent long-term issues.

FAQs About Strabismus  

Q: Can adults develop strabismus?

A: Yes, it can happen after an injury or health condition, like a stroke.

Q: Does strabismus hurt?

A: Not usually, but it can cause eye strain or headaches.

Q: Can strabismus come back after treatment?

A: Sometimes, especially if it’s not treated early or properly maintained.

Conclusion

Strabismus, or crossed eyes, might seem complicated at first, but understanding it makes it much less mysterious. It’s a condition that affects many people, and there are plenty of ways to manage and treat it. So, if you or someone you know has strabismus, don’t sweat it—help is out there!